Shane Battier

Shane Battier, In other trade, Memphis hung with the Indiana Pacers to pull another case, in the latter sending OJ Mayo. In return, the Grizzlies picked up a first round pick Josh McRoberts and before, give them another chance to win the project selection traded to Houston earlier in the day. McRoberts might be someone who gives a lot of value on the bench for the Grizzlies, as well, making almost a wash in the category of immediate value. For fans of Mayo, this may not seem like an even trade, but Memphis was ready to move forward without Mayo, which seems to have been the best option on the table.

In the final minutes of what looked like it was going to be a trade deadline without problems for the Houston Rockets, Daryl Morey decided to pull the trigger on two deals (so far) that the Rockets have landed their man coveted with great potential and assumed a back up point guard. Houston will be negotiating Shane Battier and his expiring contract back to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for # overall pick last season and Hasheem Thabeet a future round of choice.
Overall, all stakeholders with the exception of Shane Battier could use a change of scenery. Thabeet is not going to be our new starting center and he will not change the fate of the Rockets this season or next. He is about as raw as they come, but he is 7’3 “and turned the blocking skills.
The departure of Houston I will say this – Aaron Brooks just is not panning this season. His ego got the better of him and he made a fool of himself on a team that prides itself on professionalism. He did not do well with or without the blindfold and I think trading him was the right decision. Shane Battier will always be a rocket. He was a true professional and the most eloquent Rocket we had here in Houston in ages. His defense may have declined slightly, but it is still one of the top wing defenders in the league. Shane and intangible assets, we will miss this season in Houston.